Staff initially thought the business would continue after the fire on February 18, but were left deflated a week later when they were summoned to a meeting with bosses of the Blackpool-based company where they were told they were all at risk of redundancy.

Local MP Guto Bebb tried to safeguard jobs during talks with the company’s hierarchy, but it was confirmed on February 25 all jobs would go and the plant would not reopen, leaving the building remains derelict and empty.